So, you've finished high school and somehow decided you wanted to spend another two, four, or even eight years in school? First, let me say congratulations! That's a hard thing to do. It seems like after we graduate from high school, most of us have a burning urge to never step foot in a school again. But, don't be afraid. High school and college are not nearly the same beast. In fact, deciding to go to college is one of the most important and most influential decisions that you've made in your life thus far. It can be a bit daunting and nerve-wracking to move away from home, but with a little bit of adjustment, you're going to do just fine!

My biggest piece of advice to you is that it's OK if you're not best friends with your roommate. You shouldn't feel the need to become best buds overnight. Chances are you were put together because you have similar sleeping patterns and that's about it. And if you are great friends with your roommate, more power to you! It's ok though if you guys just get along well enough to co-habitate. Don't feel pressured to become besties and take Instagram pics worthy of #bestfriendgoals status. I promise that you'll make great friends outside of your dorm

The next thing I'm going to tell you is that it's OK if you want to spend time in your dorm and be by yourself. You're making a huge transition and sometimes it's just nice to have a little bit of peace and quiet. Of course, do try to get out besides just going to classes. Don't become a dorm-dwelling vampire. As you make friends, you'll spend less time in your room, but don't let anyone tell you it's not ok to have alone time.

Chances are you're going to have a lot of choices to make during your first year of college, one of those being food. Please, make healthy choices! There isn't any reason to eat pizza for every single meal. Avoid gaining weight by making choices that are going to make you and your body feel better. Nobody functions near as well when they feel weighed down by grease, salt, and sugar. On top of making healthy food choices, go to the gym. I am guilty of not following this myself. However, even if you just go and walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day, you're making a positive choice which is also going to make you feel better.

Another thing that I realized is that it's OK if you don't call home every night. Or every other night. Give yourself some time to experience your new-found freedom. I didn't call my parents for two weeks after I moved in; in fact, they called me. You're going to get homesick. It's going to be hard. But once you get over that first bump in the road, you're going to be back at full speed. So give yourself some space and some time.

Lastly, know that this is college. It's up to you to decide if you're going to thrive or if you're going to come to a screeching halt. Enjoy yourself and have fun, but also realize your main goal should be getting your degree. There will be times where you panic and you don't know what you're doing with your life. It happens. Just know you'll get through it and be stronger for it.